Category: Europe

France bans use of hydroxychloroquine, drug touted by Trump, to treat coronavirus

Hydroxychloroquine had been approved for use in seriously ill patients, but the latest large-scale research shows it could do more harm than good.

Paris — France has banned the use of the controversial anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to treat people with COVID-19, the diseased caused by the new coronavirus. The move follows the publication of initial findings from a large-scale study that found the drug offered no benefit to patients, and could in fact be harmful.

The Lancet medical journal reported on May 22 that the observational study on nearly 100,000 patients from multiple countries found a higher mortality rate and an increased frequency of irregular heartbeats in patients who were given hydroxychloroquine.

France’s health minister responded to the findings the next day by asking the French High Council for Public Health (HCSP) to review the situation, and it recommended halting the use of the drug

Source: France bans use of hydroxychloroquine, drug touted by Trump, to treat coronavirus – CBS News

“We must save our tourism” says PM

There will be a summer tourism season in France, the government has insisted.

However, with social distancing and limited overseas travel, there will be a big drop in trade. Prime Minister Edouard Phi­lippe has said they are facing “probably the worst test of modern times, while at the same time tourism is a jewel in the crown of the French economy”. Saving the industry is a national priority, he said.

Tourism professionals told Connexion that many are expecting at least a 50% reduction in annual turnover. Tourism Minister Jean-Bap­tiste Lemoyne has indicated that French residents will mostly holiday in France, though President Macron hinted at possible Europe-wide travel. At a press conference with Angela Merkel, the president said a co-ordinated plan should be ready by mid-June: “We will have a tourist season in Europe alongside the virus.” [ . . . ]

Continue at Connexion: “We must save our tourism” says PM

Chris Hedges on Covid-19 and the Collapse of American Capitalism

Chris Hedges is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who spent nearly two decades as a foreign correspondent in Central America, West Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Balkans.  He is host of the Emmy Award–winning RT America show On Contact. Chris Hedges is the author of several bestseller books such as American Fascists, Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt. His latest is America: The Farewell Tour. 

Hosted by Mitch Jeserich.

Listen To Chris Hedges interview

Letters & Politics seeks to explore the history behind today’s major global and national news stories.

Chris Hedges

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